Romford Tops Havering’s Shoplifting Hotspots as Thefts Rise.
Romford has been named Havering’s shoplifting capital, with the town centre recording the highest number of thefts across the borough according to data.
Figures compiled from data.police.uk and local crime analytics platforms reveal that St Edward’s ward, which covers Romford town centre, has the highest shoplifting rate in Havering — with approximately 34 offences per 1,000 residents.
This makes it the most affected area in the borough, far surpassing other districts such as Upminster, Harold Wood and Elm Park.
Local reports estimate that over 5,000 shoplifting incidents were recorded in the Romford area in the past year, prompting growing concerns among businesses and residents about the safety of high streets and the effectiveness of current deterrents.
Other Areas Seeing Increases
While Romford leads by a considerable margin, other parts of the borough are also feeling the strain.
- Elm Park has emerged as another hotspot, particularly around the station and shopping parade. Police data shows a notable spike in offences in these localised areas, with around 32 incidents recorded in a recent period.
- Collier Row and North Romford have also reported steady increases in shop theft, with rates sitting in the low double digits per 1,000 residents.
- Upminster remains comparatively low but still records more offences than some of the outer Havering wards.
- Harold Wood and Harold Hill also appear among the borough’s most frequently affected locations, with shoplifting consistently listed among the top reported crimes.
The Wider Picture
Shoplifting has become a growing problem across London, with the capital experiencing a nearly 30% rise in retail theft over the past year, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Havering, once considered one of the safer outer boroughs, has seen a similar uptick — fuelled by organised theft, repeat offenders and the cost-of-living crisis.
Retailers say that staff safety is becoming an increasing concern. “Theft is one thing, but abuse and intimidation of staff is another,” said another Romford business owner. “People are scared to challenge anyone now.”
Calls for Stronger Action
Havering Council has acknowledged the rising number of retail crimes and is working alongside local police teams to increase CCTV coverage and community patrols in affected high streets.
Local councillors have also called for tougher sentencing for persistent offenders and more visible policing.
Summary
| Ward / Area | Approx. Shoplifting Rate (per 1,000) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St Edward’s (Romford) | ≈ 34.4 | Highest in Havering; over 5,000 incidents in past year |
| Elm Park | ≈ 32 | Localised spikes near station and shops |
| Collier Row / North Romford | ≈ 10–13 | Steady rise in small businesses |
| Upminster | ≈ 13.6 | Below borough average |
| Harold Wood / Harold Hill | ≈ 10 | Regularly among top crimes in area reports |
Havering’s shoplifting problem mirrors a national trend — but local traders and police alike say community cooperation is the key to turning it around. Reporting incidents is also key in the battle against shoplifting.
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With the extra help provided by My Local Bobby, funded by Romford BID, plus The Liberty and The Brewery, more is being reported and dealt with in Romford Town Centre.
You cannot rely on the number of reports as evidence that there is more crime in particular areas; statistics will be lower if crimes are not reported, but it is not proof of low level of crime.